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NEED TO KNOW
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Celebrate Vermont’s Healthcare Leaders – Join the Awards Ceremony Virtually!
While registration for the 2025 Collaborative Meeting has closed, we’d love for you to join us virtually on Friday, November 7th at 8 p.m. for our Awards Ceremony.
Come celebrate Vermont’s outstanding physicians and healthcare professionals who have made remarkable contributions to medicine and the health of our communities.
Join us via Zoom as we honor those whose dedication continues to make a difference for their patients and all Vermonters.
Join the awards ceremony live stream at 8pm here on Friday, November 7th. |
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Join VMS this Thursday, November 6th as We Welcome Commissioner of Health, Dr. Rick Hildebrant
Join the VMS on November 6th from 12:30-1pm via Zoom to welcome the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Rick Hildebrant to his 1st public health call with us.
Join us on November 6th at 12:30pm by clicking here.
Meeting ID: 867 2625 3105 / Password: 540684
One tap mobile - +1 646 876 9923,,86726253105#,,,,0#,,540684#
Dial In - +1 646 876 9923 / Meeting ID: 867 2625 3105 / Password: 540684
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Open Enrollment for 2026 Health Plans is Underway – Premiums Increasing for Many
Open Enrollment for 2026 health insurance plans sold on Vermont’s Health Insurance Exchange kicked off on November 1 and runs until January 15, 2026. This is the time for Vermonters who obtain insurance though the Exchange to enroll or make changes to their health care coverage. The first deadline the enroll is December 15 for coverage starting January 1. The final deadline to enroll is January 15 for coverage starting February 1.
There are many changes at the Federal level that will impact health insurance marketplaces, including Vermont Health Connect, and this year’s open enrollment
The changes include:
- At this point in time, Congress has not extended enhanced premium tax credits. That means that unless Congress acts, in 2026, many customers will get LESS premium tax credits, and some will get NO premium tax credits. Many people will still be eligible for tax credits, but the amount of those credits will be smaller.
- Members whose household income is more than 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) won't be able to get financial help through the marketplace anymore. For example, in 2026, the 400% FPL limit is $62,600 for a single person, and $128,600 for a family of four.
- Certain lawfully present immigrants will no longer be able to get financial help to pay for a Qualified Health Plan. Customers with a household income under 100% of the FPL who cannot get Medicaid because of the immigration status will no longer be eligible for tax credits.
- Learn more at Health Insurance Changes in 2026 and see media coverage of the impact of reduced premium tax credits here and here. As covered in previous Rounds article, this is also open enrollment for Medicare plans – and with the loss of Medicare Advantage plans in most Vermont counties, Vermonters will also have to obtain new Medicare coverage. Learn more here.
Learn more at Health Insurance Changes in 2026 and see media coverage of the impact of reduced premium tax credits here and here. As covered in previous Rounds article, this is also open enrollment for Medicare plans – and with the loss of Medicare Advantage plans in most Vermont counties, Vermonters will also have to obtain new Medicare coverage. Learn more here. |
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Medicare Finalizes 2026 Physician Fee Schedule
On October 31, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that announces final policy changes for Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), and other Medicare Part B issues, effective on or after January 1, 2026. To view the announcement and summary click here.
As required by statute, beginning in CY 2026, there will be two separate conversion factors: one for qualifying alternative payment model (APM) participants and one for physicians and practitioners who are not in APMs. The final CY 2026 qualifying APM conversion factor of $33.57 represents a projected increase of $1.22 (+3.77%) from the current conversion factor of $32.35. Similarly, the final CY 2026 nonqualifying APM conversion factor of $33.40 represents a projected increase of $1.05 (+3.26%) from the current conversion factor of $32.35. These changes to the conversion factors include a one-year increase of 2.50 percent enacted by Congress. At the same time, CMS is also finalizing an “efficiency adjustment” to the work component of thousands of codes of approximately -2.5% and reducing payment rates for services performed in facilities – policies that will collectively make significant reductions to reimbursement for many specialties. See AMA’s statement on the impacts of these reductions here. VMS continue to share more information regarding the impact of the final 2026 payment policies.
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MISC.
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Comments Sought – Medicaid Reinstating Prior Auth for DME, Prosthetics, Orthotics
The Vermont Medicaid program is proposing to reinstate, effective 12/1/25, prior authorization requirements for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) that exceed limits. Prior authorization will be required for any items of DMEPOS in excess of quantity limits listed on the Vermont Medicaid Durable Medicaid Equipment (DME) Limitation List. This change reinstates the prior authorization requirements for DMEPOS that were removed January 1, 2023 (GCR 22-101) pursuant to Act 140 of 2020, charging Medicaid with reviewing and reporting on its prior authorization process. Please contact Jessa Barnard by November 14th at jbarnard@vtmd.org to share feedback on this proposal. |
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Reminder - Student Survey Request – Impact of Changes to Medicaid
Medical students at UVM Larner College of Medicine are working on a public health project collecting clinician perspectives and concerns around the 2025 Budget Reconciliation Act or the "One Big Beautiful Bill" Act and its changes to Medicaid. They are seeking clinicians willing to complete a short survey at your convenience. Responses will remain confidential and the project will only share anonymized data. The Qualtrics survey should take no more than 4-5 minutes: https://qualtrics.uvm.edu/jfe/form/SV_8kpxyKnrYIRAIUm. Please feel free to share this with colleagues, but please do not post the link online. The students thank you for your time and consideration. Please contact Patrick Parkinson at patrick.parkinson@med.uvm.edu with any questions. |
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Dementia and Brain Health Symposium 11/7
Providers and care teams are invited to VDH-DAIL and partners 2025 Dementia and Brain Health Symposium, Waterbury State Complex on 11/7. Networking 8:30-9:00 and noon-1:00 with light breakfast and lunch provided. Register here: 2nd Annual Vermont Dementia & Brain Health Symposium Registration for in-person or livestream. Questions: contact rhonda.williams@vermont.gov.
The symposium is a collaborative effort between the Alzheimer’s Association, UVM Center on Aging, DAIL, the Dementia Collaborative and VDH. Keynote is dual-certified Dr. Dani Cabral, a national dementia researcher and care specialist. Dr. Cabral will be focusing the role of technology and touch points, homing in how we can deliver quality deliver quality care and compassion followed by a panel discussion with VT clinicians and service providers, Dementia Care in a Rural, Aging State. |
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Mildred Reardon Medical Student Scholarship Open for Applications for Class of 2027
Do you dream of becoming a Vermont doctor?
The Vermont Medical Society’s Education and Research Foundation (VMSERF) is now accepting applications for the Mildred Reardon scholarship, which awards $10,000 to a University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine student committed to practicing medicine in Vermont.
The scholarship will be made to a Class of 2027 student interested in any specialty, with a preference for specialties in high need in Vermont. The scholarship is tuition-linked and is paid directly to the College of Medicine towards tuition. Applications are due December 12, 2025. Click here for more information and details on applying for the scholarship. |
EVENTS
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2025 Obesity Medicine & Weight Management Conference
November 14, 2025 Delta Hotel, South Burlington, VT
This conference is designed to improve the skills of primary care healthcare teams as they navigate new treatments in obesity medicine and weight management. The target audience includes primary care physicians, nurses, physical therapists, and other health professionals who pertain to primary care.
Learn more and register here. |
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New England History of Medicine Society: Noah Webster: Proto Epidemiologist with Richard Kahn, MD
November 18, 2025
Virtual
Noah Webster (1758-1843), best known for the dictionary that bears his name (1828), was also an educator, newspaper editor, lawyer, and politician, and he advocated for universal education, social welfare, and public health. Less well known are his efforts to understand the causes and prevention of diseases such as yellow fever that plagued the young nation, Though not a physician, between 1796 and 1800 Webster published two books and many articles on disease, public health, yellow fever, and quarantine, and this work catalyzed the creation of the first U.S. medical journal, The Medical Repository (1797-1824).
Richard Kahn's research explores Webster’s medical writings, their publication challenges, and contemporary responses.
Learn more and register here. |
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Dartmouth Health: 2025 NNEPQIN Fall Conference
November 19 - 21, 2025
Omni Mount Washington Resort, Bretton Woods, NH
Registration is open for the NNEPQIN Fall 2025 Conference! The conference will be taking place November 19-21, 2025, at the Omni Mt. Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, NH. A pre-conference opportunity is available on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, with either the obstetric track or neonatal track options. The pre-conference is available for actively practicing inpatient providers (MD, DO, CNM, and RN). Registrants can attend just the pre-conference if desired, or join for the main conference as well!
We have presentations related to TeleOB, neonatal cooling, inclusive care for LGBTQIA+ patients, breastfeeding support, SUD and cannabis use in pregnancy, adoption and legal considerations, shared decision-making and its impact on moral injury, postpartum mental health, NICU transitions, and more. We have topics to inspire every member of your care team—covering prenatal, delivery, postpartum, and neonatal follow-up. We hope your interprofessional team will participate!
Learn more and register here. |
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Save the Dates - 2026 VMS Advocacy Breakfast Series
Please join us in the Vermont Statehouse cafeteria for informal conversation with legislators over coffee on specific Wednesday mornings from 8-9am throughout the legislative session. Starting this January, lawmakers will be tackling tricky policy issues like Medicaid coverage, health care workforce initiatives and next steps in both State and federal health care reform. Your expertise is incredibly valuable in educating them on the practice of medicine in Vermont and what you think can improve our current system. These advocacy breakfasts are hosted by the Vermont Medical Society, the Vermont Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter, the Vermont Ophthalmologic Society, and the Vermont Psychiatric Association. Each date will be hosted by your specific specialty society with everyone being welcome on the Vermont Medical Society dates. Look for the dates to be posted to our website shortly - but look below for a preview of the Wednesdays we will be hosting Legislative Coffee Hours in 2026:
- Jan. 21- Vermont Medical Society/Vermont Psychiatric Association
- Feb. 3 – UVM OB/GYN Residents
- Feb. 4 - Vermont Ophthalmologic Society
- Feb. 18 - Vermont Academy of Family Physicians
- Mar. 18 - American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter
- Apr. 1 - Vermont Academy of Family Physicians
- Apr. 15 - American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter
- Apr. 29 - Vermont Medical Society
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AlpTerra Wilderness Medicine Course
March 5–9, March 12–16, October 1–5, October 8–12, 2026
Franconia, New Hampshire
Join Alpterra for an immersive, hands-on wilderness medicine course designed to prepare you for real-life scenarios in the outdoors. Treat mock injuries, problem-solve in the elements, and walk away with practical skills that stick.
- Max 4:1 participant-to-instructor ratio for highly personalized, discussion-driven learning.
- Accredited for up to 16 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ — an excellent use of your CME allowance.
- Stay on-site in a luxury home-style setting. Enjoy locally sourced, family-style meals tailored to dietary needs.
- Add-on trips let you ski, climb, or explore the White Mountains with expert guides before or after your course.
Learn more about the agenda and registration here. |
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For more information about offerings from UVM
CMIE, visit here. |
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Vermont Medical Society 134 Main Street Montpelier, VT 05602 -- Unsubscribe -- |
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